At a woolshed in central Victoria, one of the greats of Australian shearing is busily at work.

John Harris is on the wool table, inspecting and "skirting" every newly shorn fleece spread out for sorting and grading.

His hands move quickly and constantly.

With four shearers toiling away, the pace is fast.

John Harris (third from left) was one of six champion shearers chosen in the 1960s to instruct the industry about a new way of shearing. (Supplied)

John would much rather be on the shearing "board" alongside them, the trade in which he made his name.

"I've been fortunate. I think I've won six Australians [national shearing championships] and seven state titles probably and numerous other ones, of course," John said.

Until recently, he was still shearing up to 140 sheep a day in woolsheds around northern Victoria.

But at age 85, time has finally caught up

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